Anaesthetic management of myasthenia gravis in coronary artery bypass grafting

Abstract

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disease affecting the neuromuscular junction causing weakness and fatigability of muscles. Careful perioperative management is required because of the unpredictable susceptibility to muscle relaxants. In this case report, we describe the successful management of a MG patient for normothermic coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery with titrated doses of rocuronium without prolonged postoperative ventilation. We chose rocuronium because full and rapid recovery of neuromuscular blockade is possible with sugammadex. We conclude that using rocuronium is safe during general anaesthesia in MG patients undergoing on-pump CABG when combined with continuous neuromuscular monitoring and careful perioperative management.

Keywords

• coronary artery bypass graft
• myasthenia gravis
• rocuronium